Toy cap gun with hammer cocking means



R. 5. LONG TOY CAP GUN WITH HAMMER COCKING MEANS Filed July 22; less Aug. 4, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I

INVENTOR Robert 8. Long INVENTOR Robert 8. Long ATTORNEY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug.'4, 1959 R 5 LONG TOY CAP GUN WITH HAMMER COOKING MEANS Filed July 22, 1958 Unite 2,97,621 Fatented Aug. 4, 1959 ice , 2,897,621 TOY CAP GUN WITH-HAMlVIER cocKrNo MEANS Robert St Long, Westerville, Ohio, assignor to Kilgore,

Inc., Westerville, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application July 22, 1958,: Serial No. 750,129 14 Claims. (Cl; 42-54 The present invention relates to a toy gun. More particularly the present invention relates to a toy gun having a unique trigger cocking mechanism.

The toy gun or revolver embodied in the present invention is of the one-shot type, wherein one cap at a time is adapted to be exploded by movement of the triggering device. In the prior known toy gun constructions which utilize a single short type'of triggering mechanism, the hammer is pivotally moved by the thumb of the user to a cooked position which movement cocks the trigger that is normally fixed to the opposite end of the hammer. The single cap is then placed in the cap receptacle for exploding when the hammer is pulled into contact therewith.

These prior known toy guns have been in use for many years with little variation in the triggering mechanism and although fulfilling the purpose intended, do not offeror provide any novelty to the user thereof. In novelty devices such as toy guns for use bychildren, it is of primary importance to incorporate in the gun mechanism unusual and novel mechanical movements which provoke interest and stimulate excitement in the use thereof.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel cocking mechanism for use in a toy gun. 7

Another object is to provide a toy gun which includes a unique cap exploding device that is formed independent of the trigger mechanism.

Still another object of the present invention is to provideasimulated cartridge for use in a toy gun that is utilized to explode caps.

Still another object is to provide a pivotal cocking mechanism that includes a cap exploding device.

Still another object is to provide a cooking mechanism for use in a toy gun wherein a hammer structure is biased. to a cooked position by a pivotally movable cocking member. I

Still another object is to provide a cooking device for use in a toy gun which is pivotally mounted adjacent the front-end of the gun and forms the upper portion of the barrel therefor.

Other. objects and the nature and advantages of the instant invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is aside elevational view of the toy gun embodied in the present invention;

' Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the toy gun illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along lines 3--3 in Fig. 2 showing the trigger and cocking mechanism in the cocked position;

Fig. 4 is a view-similar to Fig. 3 showing a portion of the trigger and cocking mechanism after the trigger has been actuated to explode a cap;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the position of the cocking gate when a cap is inserted therein;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the pivotally mounted cocking gate;- V

Fig. 7 is an elevationalview of the reverse side of the front portion of the cocking gate;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the reverse side of the cocking and firing lever; and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a plunger or simulated cartridge that is adapted to explode the cap placed in the cap slot that is located in the'cocking gate. 7

Referring now to the drawings and particularly Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the toy gun embodied in the present invention includes a frame indicated generally at 10, the frame 10 comprising a barrel 12 and a handle 14. The barrel 12 and handle 14 are formed in mating sections as indicated by the parting line 16 in Fig. 2 and are secured together by pins 18. and 29 located in the barrel '12 and by a .pin 22 located in the handle 14 (Fig. 3). The top of the barrel 12 is formed with an elongated rectangularly shaped opening 23 (Fig. 5) which is adapted to receive a cocking mechanism that will be more fully described hereinafter.

Formed on the front of the barrel 12 is a reduced neck portion 24 in which a passage 25 is formed that extends into the interior of the barrel. The neck portion 24 simulates the construction of a real gun and since the passage 25 communicates with the interior of the barrel, and' constitutes the only egress from the barrel interior, any smoke resulting from an exploded cap will discharge through the passage 25. This produces a realistic effect, thereby provoking interest and excitement in the use of the gun.

Pivotally. secured to the pin' 22 in the handle 14- and extending upwardly in the rear portion of the barrel 12 isua cockingand firing lever generally indicated at 26. The cocking and firing lever 26 includes a body portion 28, the lower end of which defines the mounting end for pivotally securing the lever 26 to the pin 22. Extending downwardly from the upper endof the body portion 28 is a cocking track or guide 30 (see Fig. 8) that is adapted to be engaged bya cocking bar, to be described herein after, which bar forces the cocking and firing lever 26 to the cocked position thereof. Formed on the upper end of the body portion 28 adjacent the cocking track 30 is a firing head 32 that includes a hammer 34. As shown more clearly in Fig. 8 a section of the body portion 28 is cut out just beneath the hammer 34 to define a shoulder 36 that is located adjacent the lowerend of the cocking track 30. Formed in the forward edge of the body portion 28 below the shoulder 36 is a groove or depression 38 that is adapted to receive a pin secured to the trigger mechanismfor retaining the trigger mechanism in the cocked position. This structure will be described in detail hereinafter. In order to bias the cocking and firing lever 26 to the cooked position thereof, a spring 40 is provided and is secured to the lower end of the lever 26. The spring 40 includes outwardly extending fingers 42, 44, the finger 42 engaging the lug 46 formed on the lever body portion 28 adjacent the rear edge thereof, and the finger 44 engaging a. lug 48 secured to the rear wall of the handle 14 adjacent the upper end thereof. It is seen that when the cocking and firing lever 26 is pivoted rearwardly as seen in Fig. '3, the spring finger 42 is depressed to thereby bias the lever 26 in the cocked position thereof.

The toy gun embodied inthe present invention is unique in constructionin that the trigger is cocked by a cocking. device that is mounted separately with respect to the trigger, the cocking device also including the cap firing mechanism. Referring now to Figs. 5, 6 and 7 the cocking and firing member is illustrated and comprises a pivotally mounted cocking gate indicated generally at 50. The gate 50 is positioned in the opening 24 formed in the top of the barrel 127and includes a top plate 52 that cooperates with the top portion of the rearmost and forward end of the barrel to define the top of the gun. As seen in Figs. 2 and 3 when the gate 50 is disposed within the interior of the gun barrel 12, the top plate 52 substantially seals the opening 24 and the barrel thus has the appearance of an integral one piece unit. Formed on the front end of the top plate 52 and projecting upwardly therefrom is a conventional sight 54, while a projection 55 is formed on the rearmost end thereof and defines a catch which cooperates with a latch mechanism to retain the gate in the closed position thereof. Formed integral with the top plate 52 and depending therefrom is a side plate 56. Formed on the side plate 56 adjacent the front end thereof and projecting outwardly therefrom is an elliptical shaped projection 58. Formed in the projection 58 and extending through the side plate 56 is an inclined slot 60 of elliptical shape, slot 60 slidably receiving the pin therein. It is seen that the gate 50 is not only pivotally mounted on the pin 20 but is also shiftable longitudinally the length of the slot 60. This longitudinal shifting of the gate provides for reloading of the gun as will be described hereinafter.

Depending from the top plate 52 and joined to the side plate 56 intermediate the ends thereof is a cap receptacle or explosion chamber 62 that includes upper and lower curved portions 64, 66 and a flat wall 68 As seen in Fig. 7 the rear side of the side plate 56 is formed with an outstanding section 69 that reinforces the side plate and also increases the lateral dimension of the cap receptacle 62. An opening 70 is also formed in that portion of the outstanding section 69 that defines the cap receptacle and provides for the escape of the expanding gases after the cap is exploded. It is seen that in the use of the gun, a single cap is placed in the cap'receptacle 62, fitting between the curved portions 64, 66, and engaging the flat wall 68, the flat wall 68 thus defining the usual hardened flat surface that cooperates with an exploding member to explode the charge in the cap.

Formed parallel with the flat wall 68 and joined to the top plate 52 and side plate 56 is an intermediate wall 71 that is formed with a circular opening 72 therein. Referring again to Fig. 7 a rectangularly shaped opening 73 is shown formed in the outstanding section 69 and provides for convenient casting of the gate 50. A narrow rear wall 74 is spaced from the intermediate wall 70 and is formed primarily in the edge section of the outstanding section 69. The wall 70 includes an arcuate portion 76 that cooperates with an adjacent arcuate .portion 78, formed on the interior of the outstanding section 69, and with the circular opening 70 to receive an exploding member or simulated cartridge indicated generally at 80 in Fig. 9. The bullet 80 includes a head 82 that defines a surface for receiving the hammer 34 during the cap firing operation. Joined to the head 82 is a cylindrical body 84 that terminates in a reduced portion 86. As shown more clearly in Fig. 3, in use of the gun, the simulated cartridge 80 projects through the opening 71, the reduced portion 86 extending into the cap receptacle or explosion chamber 62 for engagement with a cap, indicated at 88 in Fig. 3. It is seen that when the hammer 34 is moved forwardly after the lever 26 is released from the cocked position, the hammer 34 will strike the head 82 of the simulated cartridge 80 with suificient force to cause the reduced portion 86 to explode the charge in the cap 88.

' The gate 50' is also adapted to cock the lever 26 and the trigger mechanism (to be described) and for this purpose includes an extension 90 formed integral with the side plate 56, the extension terminating in a shortened cocking bar or finger 92. As seen in Fig.5, the cocking bar 92 is adapted to engage the cocking track formed on the lever 26 and thereby force the lever 26 to the cocked position as the gate 50 is pivotally moved to the closed position thereof.

In order to retain the gate 50 in the closed position, a latch mechanism is provided and, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, is indicated generally at 93 and includes a slide 94 on which is formed intermediate the ends thereof an upstanding projection 96. The projection 96 not only defines a thumb catch for sliding the slide 94 but also serves as a sighting guide that is aligned with the sight 54. Depending from the underside of the slide 94 is a stop 98 that slidably moves within the confines of a slot 100 formed in the top rear section of the barrel 14. Formed on the underside of the slide 94 adjacent the outer end thereof is a groove 102 which is adapted to receive the catch 55 therein. It is seen that when the gate 50 is pivoted downwardly to the closed position, the slide 94 is moved within the slot 100 from the position shown in Fig. 5 to the position shown in Fig. 3. In this position the groove 102 engages the catch 55 and the gate 50 is then locked in the down position.

Since it is necessary to bias the gate 50 to the closed position so that it will automatically retract when the slide 94 is moved rearwardly to release the catch 55, a spring 104 is provided and is secured to the forward barrel pin 20. The spring 104 includes a finger 106 that engages the junction of the front wall and the bottom wall of the barrel 12. The spring 104 also includes a second finger 108, the outer end of which is bent to receive the bottom outer face of the cap receptacle 62. As seen in Figs. 3 and 5, when the gate 50 is moved from the open position to the closed position, the bottom face of the cap receptacle 62 depresses the spring finger 108 and thereby biases the gate 50 under spring pressure to the closed position thereof. Upon release of the catch 55 by the slide 94 the spring finger 108 acts to return to the normal position thereof and thereby pushes the gate 50 upwardly to expose it for the reloading operation.

In order to release the lever 26 from the cocked position as shown in Fig. 3 and thereby cause the hammer 34 to strike the head 82 of the simulated cartridge 80 for exploding a cap, a trigger mechanism or assembly is provided and is indicated generally at 110. As shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 the trigger assembly 110 includes a trigger member 112 that has an arcuate finger grip 114 formed on the outer end thereof. Thetrigger member 112 extends through a right angle slot 116 that is formed at the intersection of the top front face of the handle 14 and the adjacent section of the barrel 12. The trigger member 112 is pivotally secured to the barrel 12 by a pin 117 and includes an inner extension 118 on which is secured a trigger bar 120. As shown in Fig. 3, the trigger bar 120 is adapted to engage the groove 38 to retain the cocking lever 26 in the cocked position. In order to retain the trigger assembly 110 in the cocked position whereby the trigger member is forced outwardly from the body of the gun as seen in Fig. 3, a spring 122 is provided and is secured to the pin 117. The spring 122 includes a spring finger 124 that engages a pin 126 secured to the lower portion of the barrel 1 2 and a spring finger 128 that engages the trigger bar 20. The spring finger 128 is shown in the normal position in Fig. 3 in which position the trigger mechanism 110 is cocked. In this uncocked position, as seen in Fig. 5, the spring finger 128 is depressed by the trigger bar 120. It is seen that when the cocking lever 26 is pivoted rearwardly by the cocking bar 92, the trigger bar 120 is forced into the groove 38 by the spring finger 128 thereby pivotally moving the trigger member through the slot 116 into the cocked position. Upon depression of the trigger member 112, when the gun is fired, the trigger bar 120 is lifted out of the groove 38 to release the cocking lever 26 and the spring finger 128 is again biased as shown in Fig. 5.

In use and operation of the toy gun embodied in the present invention, it is first assumed that a cap is to be loaded into the cap receptacle 62. With the gate 50 located in the open position, as seen in Fig. 5 a; single cap 88 is placed in the cap receptacle 62. During the loading operationjthe simulated cartridge 80 may be removed entirely from the gate 50 or it may be moved r'earwardly in the opening 72 a suflicient amount to enable the cap 88 to be placed in the receptacle 62. With the gate 50 moved forwardly of the pin 120, the pin 120 thereby being positioned at the rearmost endof the slot 60, the gate 50 is then pivotally moved to the closed position. With the gate moved forwardly with respect to the pin 120, the cocking bar 92' engages the'forward edge of the cocking guide or track 30. Continued pressure on the top plate 52 of the gate 50 causes the cocking lever 26 to be pivoted against the action of the spring finger 42, the cocking bar 92 riding downwardly over the forward surface of the cocking track 30. As the cocking lever 26 pivots to the left as seen inFig. 3, the trigger bar 120, which had been disposed on the'shoulder 36 of the cocking lever 26, is forced into the groove 38 by the pressure of the spring finger 128. The slide 94 of the latch mechanism 93 is then moved forwardly to cause the catch 55 to engage the groove 102. The gate 50 is now locked in the closed position andtlie trigger mechanism 110 is cocked and ready for firing.

When the gun is fired, 'the trigger member 112 is squeezed rearwardly which action causes the trigger bar 120 to be withdrawn from the groove 38. The cocking lever 26 which had depressed the spring finger 42 in the cocked position is then released and under the action of the spring finger 42 is rapidly pivoted 'to the right as seen in-Fig's. 3 and 4. The hammer 34 then forceably strikes the head 82 of the simulated cartridge 80 which causes the reduced portion 86 of the simulated cartridge to explode the cap 88 against the flat wall 68 of the cap receptacle or explosion chamber 62. Since the cap receptacle 62 is located adjacent the front of the barrel 12, any smoke resultingfrom the cap explosion will filter through the receptacle openings and into the passage 25 formed at the barel front. The'smoke' dischargingfrom the barrel passage 25 thus provides a realistic'efiect and I appearance.

In order to reload a new charge or cap, the gate is first released from the latched position by slightly depressing the top plate 52 which movement allows the.

catch 55 to clear the groove 102. The slide 94 is then moved rearwardly and the gate 50 is lifted upwardly a limited amount under the action of the spring finger 108. However further movement of the gate 50 is restrained since the cocking bar 92 is now disposed behind the cock ing track 30.

When the trigger member 112 was squeezed during the firing operation, causing the cocking lever 26 to pivot to the right as seen in Fig. 4, the cooking track 30 had moved forwardly of the cocking bar 92. In order to completely withdraw the gate 50 for reloading, it is thus necessary to shift the gate 50 rearwardly or to the left, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4, the slot moving on the pin 20 until the pin 20 reaches the forward end of the slot 60. With the gate in this position the cocking bar 92 can clear the inner surface of the cooking track 30 as shown by the successive dotted line positions of the cocking bar 92 and the arrows in Fig. 4. Once the cocking bar 92 Y has cleared the cocking track 30, the gate 50 may be pivotally moved to the fully open position as seen in Fig.

5 and a cap reloaded in the cap receptacle as described above. The firing and reloading operations are then repeated.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made 'without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore the invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is. claimed is:

1. In a toy gun, a frame including a handle and a barrel, a cocking gate pivotally mounted in said barrel and including 'a cap receptacle, a simulated cantridge positioned in said cocking gate and movable into contact with a cap located insaid receptacle to explode said cap, acocking bar joined to said cocking gate, a cooking and firing leverpivotally mounted in said handle and including a cooking track for guiding said cocking bar to the cocked position, a hammer joined to said cocking lever for striking said simulated cartridge, a spring engaging said lever, a triggering mechanism pivotally mounted in said barrel and including a trigger member and a trigger bar for engaging said lever when said lever is biased to the cocked position by movement of said cocking bar over said track, and a second spring engaging said triggering mechanism for forcing said trigger member into the cocked position when said cocking bar is moved over said track, said triggering mechanism thereafter being actuated to release said lever from the biased position thereof, which movement causes said hammer to strike said simulated cartridge and to explode said cap.

2. In a toy gun, a handle, a barrel joined to said handle, a trigger: mechanism pivotally secured to said barrel, a cocking and firing lever pivotally mounted in said handle for engagement in't he cocked position by said trigger mechanism, a cocking gate pivotally mounted in said barrel for engaging said lever to move said lever to the cocked position thereof, a simulated cartridge positioned in said gate for exploding a cap, and a hammer formed on the upper end of said lever for striking said simulated cartridge when said lever is released'from the cocked position by actuation of said trigger mechanism.

3. In a toy gun, a frame defining a handle and a barrel, a cocking and firing lever pivotally mounted in said frame and including a hammer, a cooking gate pivotally mounted in said barrel and having a cap receptacle formed therein, a cocking bar secured to said cocking gate for engaging said lever to move said lever to the cocked position thereof, a removable exploding member carried by said cocking gate and extending into said cap receptacle for exploding a cap disposed therein, and a trigger assembly secured to said frame and engaging said lever, said trigger assembly releasing said lever from the cooked position to cause said hammer to strike said member whereby said cap is exploded.

4. In a toy gun a frame defining a handle and a barrel, a cooking and firing lever pivotally mounted in said frame and including a cocking guide and a firing harnmer, a cocking gate pivotally mounted in said barrel and including a receptacle for receiving caps therein, a cocking bar formed on said cocking gate and engaging said guide for pivotally moving said lever to the cocked position thereof, exploding means carried by said cocking gate for exploding a cap located in said receptacle, and a trigger assembly pivotally mounted in said frame and engaging said lever in the cooked position thereof, said lever, being released by said trigger assembly upon actuation thereof, said hammer thereby being moved into contact with said exploding means to explode said cap.

5. In a toy gun, a frame defining a barrel and a handle, a gate pivotally mounted in said barrel and having a cap receptacle formed therein, means carried by said gate and movable therein for exploding a cap in said receptacle, lever: means pivotally mounted in said frame for movement by said gate to a cocked position, and trigger means pivotally mounted in said frame and engaging said lever means, said trigger means being actuated to move said lever means from the cocked to an uncocked position whereby said exploding means is struck by said lever means to explode said cap.

6. In a toy gun, a frame defining a barrel and a handle, a gate pivotally mounted in said barrel and having a cap receptacle formed therein, exploding means carried by said gate, a cocking bar joined to said gate, a lever pivotally mounted in said frame and including a guide for engaging said cocking bar, said lever being pivotally movable in response to pressure exerted on said guide by said cocking bar as said gate is moved from the open position to the closed position thereof, a hammer formed on said lever, and a trigger assembly pivot-ally mounted in said frame and movable into contact with said lever when said lever is moved into the cocked position by movement of said gate from the open to the closed position thereof, said hammer thereafter being forceab ly driven into contact with said exploding means when said trigger assembly is actuated whereby said lever is released from the cocked position thereof.

7. In a toy gun in accordance with claim 6, whenein said lever includes a groove and said trigger assembly includes a trigger bar, said trigger bar engaging said groove to lock said trigger assembly and lever in the cocked position.

8. In a toy gun in accordance with claim 6 which includes a separately formed cap exploding member, said member being carried by said gate and engageable by said hammer to explode a cap disposed in said receptacle.

9. In a toy gun, a frame defining a barrel and a handle, a gate pivotally mounted in said barrel and forming the upper face thereof, said gate having a cap receptacle formed therein and including a rear extension to which is joined a cocking bar, said gate having a slot formed therein providing for limited longitudinal shifting of said gate during the reloading operation, lever means pivotally mounted in said frame and engageable by said cocking bar for pivotal movement to a cocked position upon depression of said gate, and trigger means engaging said lever means and movable inwardly to release said lever means from the cocked position.

10. In a toy gun in accordance with claim 9, wherein said lever means includes a cocking track which guides said cocking bar thereover during the cocking operation, a hammer joined to the upper end of said lever, an exploding means positioned in said gate and adapted to 8 be sharply contacted by said hammer during the firing operation, said exploding means thereafter exploding said cap in said receptacle. Y

11. In a toy gun in accordance with claim 9, wherein said lever includes a groove and said trigger means includes a trigger bar that engages said groove to retain said lever in the cocked position, said trigger bar being lifted out of said groove by actuation of said trigger means thereby releasing said lever means from the cocked position thereof.

12. In a toy gun, a frame defining a handle and a barrel, means pivotally mounted in said barrel for cocking said gun, said cocking means including a cap receptacle and carrying an independently movable exploding member that extends into said cap receptacle, a lever having a hammer joined thereto pivotally mounted in said frame and engageable by said cocking means for movement to the cooked position thereof, and trigger means pivotally mounted in said frame and engaging said lever for moving said lever from the cocked to the uncocked position whereby said hammer is moved into contact with said exploding member to cause a cap located in said cap receptacle to be exploded.

13. In a toy gun in accordance with claim 12, wherein said cocking means includes a cocking bar and said lever includes a cocking track, said cocking bar engaging said cocking track upon movement of said cocking means to the closed position thereof, said lever thereby being pivotally moved to the cooked position thereof.

14. In a toy gun in accordance with claim 13, wherein said cocking means includes a slot'that provides for longitudinal shifting thereof, said cocking means being adapted to be shifted rearwardly to cause said cocking bar to clear.the rear surface of said cocking track when said cocking means is moved to the open position thereof.

Eulenfeld Sept. 6, 1949 Weimer Oct. 28, 1958 

